Three Alabamians survive again on 'American Idol'

Published: Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 11:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 28, 2014 at 12:27 a.m.

Alabama's trio remained alive on “American Idol” Thursday, with Kristin O'Connor being the only contestant cut on the first live single-elimination show of the season.

Eliminations in this portion will come from viewer votes. Those receiving the lowest numbers were put into the “bottom three” to await an announcement at show's end. Joining O'Connor in that ignominious spot were M.K. Nobilette and Malaya Watson. The judges had the option of giving a “save,” but that vote has to be unanimous, and it wasn't for O'Connor.

Host Ryan Seacrest noted the 13 “got a lot of love” after Wednesday night's live performance show, with more than 71 million votes registered, “which is quite an astounding number,” he added. By this year's new rules, any voter can ring in — or vote via website — up to 50 times per Idol contestant, so how many people that 71 million votes represents is unknown.

The show opened with the 13 singing a group medley of

OneRepublic's “Counting Stars” with Imagine Dragons' “Radio-

active.” That was followed by footage of the group eating and joking together about voting for themselves, discussing judges' feedback and expressing fears of losing a new friend.

Fayette's Dexter Roberts, Jasper's C.J. Harris and Slapout's Jessica Meuse won enough votes to stay out of the bottom three, so they'll return with the other nine next Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Fox, when live performances continue.

<p>Alabama's trio remained alive on “American Idol” Thursday, with Kristin O'Connor being the only contestant cut on the first live single-elimination show of the season.</p><p>Eliminations in this portion will come from viewer votes. Those receiving the lowest numbers were put into the “bottom three” to await an announcement at show's end. Joining O'Connor in that ignominious spot were M.K. Nobilette and Malaya Watson. The judges had the option of giving a “save,” but that vote has to be unanimous, and it wasn't for O'Connor.</p><p>Host Ryan Seacrest noted the 13 “got a lot of love” after Wednesday night's live performance show, with more than 71 million votes registered, “which is quite an astounding number,” he added. By this year's new rules, any voter can ring in — or vote via website — up to 50 times per Idol contestant, so how many people that 71 million votes represents is unknown.</p><p>The show opened with the 13 singing a group medley of </p><p>OneRepublic's “Counting Stars” with Imagine Dragons' “Radio-</p><p>active.” That was followed by footage of the group eating and joking together about voting for themselves, discussing judges' feedback and expressing fears of losing a new friend.</p><p>Fayette's Dexter Roberts, Jasper's C.J. Harris and Slapout's Jessica Meuse won enough votes to stay out of the bottom three, so they'll return with the other nine next Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Fox, when live performances continue.</p>